The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1887-05-26
Pure and Manly.


boy, for his mother had taught him to
practice selfdenial and selfcontrol, and
to be economical in expending money.
His fathers death, when the boy was but
eleven years of age, made him "little
man." he did the marketing, managed
the outdoor affairs, and looked after the
comfort of his invalid mother. As soon
as school had closed for the noon recess,
he rushed away from the frolicksome
boys, and hurried home to arrange for
his mothers daily ride. Young as he
was, he carried her to the carriage,
arranged the cushions, and seating him.
self by her side, tried to entertain her,
grayely reminding her that the ride would
fail to Benefit her unless she was cheer
full.
Robert is both a son and daughter
to me-" the mother used to say.
He was the most methodical of mana
gers, and the neatest of housekeepers.
Unlike many boys, he did not think it
beneath him to attend to details, or to do
little things with as much carefulness as
ifthey were large. While studying comic
sections, he drew the diagrams on slate.
Though he knew the one he was drawing
would be rubbed out to make room for
another, he drew it with as much accura.
cy and neatnesH as if it were to be engrav..
ed.
After his return from the Mexican var
his wife on opening his trunk found in
it every article of clothing he had taken
with him, and a bottle Of brandy, which
had been put in for medicinal use,
unopened
he never drank brandy or whisky, and
rarely glass of wine, and he never used
tobacco. To apprebend the meaning Of
this fact, and its powerful illustration Of
the lads self.control, one must recall the
rollicking life and drinking customs Of
Virginia during Gen. Lees boyhood and
youth.
During q school vacation, he was a
guest in a country house, where the host,
a fascinating gentleman of culture, lived
a gay, wild life. Young Robert, who
had been trained to self.control and self.
denial, was shocked. He made no COM
ment on what he saw, but he refused to
join in the revels.
The unspoken rebuke brought to his
bedside, the night before his departure,
the penitent host. The youths absti.
nence had shamed him, and he, man of
the world. came to confess to his youth
full guest sorrow for the wild life he was
leading.
Earnestly he warned him to beware of
acquiring drinking habits, and urged him
to persist in his temperate course of life.
On leaving him, the host promised he
would try to reform.
Yet this methodical, selfcontrolled,
afectionate, serviceable boy was no
"goody." He was the son Of Light.
Horse Harry" of the Revolution, and
inherited his fathers martial spirit. He
chose the army for his profession, and
friends and relatives approved the choice.
He entered West Point at the age of
eighteen, graduated second in his class,
and, during the four years of cadet life,
did not receive a demerit mark for any
breach of rules or neglect of duty. He
avoided tobacco and Intoxicating liquors,
never uttered word to which a woman
might not have listened, and never did
deed which his mother could not have
approved.
Lads who think it efeminate to be
good, and manly. to be bad, are asked to
harmonize their notions with the pure,
noble boyhood Of Gen. Robert E. Lee
Youths Companion.